2 Answers

0

Lucy, tough question because I can only talk about past events and their consequences, future events - such as further earthquakes - are in the lap of the Gods.Last week's M6.2 quake caused no significant damage in Tokyo (although it was felt when buildings rocked and swayed). There have been over 500 aftershocks since the BIG ONE in March. Some of those aftershocks have been as large as M7.0. These tremors can be expected to continue for several months.... so it's very likely you'll feel one. But Tokyo is well set up to deal with them. However, there are several fault lines that run through Japan, some quite close to Tokyo. If or when they will shift is unknown (there's one near Kyoto that hasn't moved since 1850-somehting and is apparently 'due' anytime.As for radiation levels from the Fukushima Daiichi plant which was damaged in March... all indications are that there is no increased level of radiation in the capital. Check out this very handy Facebook page, where a local scientist takes daily readings with his own geiger counter.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tokyo-Radiation-Levels/196845207013685All his readings are back at safe levels.Tokyo will be as safe as it ever was, so that means you should be prepared but not unduly worried. Enjoy your trip.
almost 7 years ago

Phil has mentioned enough about your main concern, which is earthquakes. I'll just add that there's a huge one pending in Tokyo region as well - the one they call the Tokai earthquake, preparations for which have been going on for many years. So much for the fear about earthquakes.

However, there is much more you should actually worry about when it comes to the ongoing nuclear crisis.

Is the food safe to eat?

They say the Japanese government has put in place stringent checking systems to make sure that no food from a contaminated area is sold.

However, there was news in the local papers 4 days ago that radioactive spinach was sold to three prefectures around Tokyo. Then there is the added fear of restaurants sourcing vegetables directly from the fields. If someone had their own vegetable plantations as well as restaurants, and they didn't have access to instruments for measuring radioactivity, do you think they would refrain from using those veggies at their restaurants? As a customer you would never know whether what you are eating is safe or not!

And what about the tap water?

Let me tell you that it still contains radioactive iodine as well as radioactive cesium, which with a half-life of 30 years (and an infinite whole life) will stick with you for the rest of your life. And I wouldn't be surprised if those who say the water is safe actually buy bottled water for themselves, because bottled water is still in shortage in Tokyo and gets sold out quickly!

To make a long story short, they say that Tokyo is safe. However, that only means that you will not die soon from the radioactive contamination in air, water, seafood, vegetables and other products in the food supply chain. They just don't tell you that it is unsafe in the long run, that from the current radiations that you get, few years down the line there's a high chance that you get cancer. It's like asking, "Sir/Madam, how would you like your cancer? Stirred or shaken?"